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SoftBank to Build Large AI Data Center on Sharp's Closed Factory Site… Aiming to Start Operation in 2025
- Writing language: Korean
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- Base country: Japan
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Summarized by durumis AI
- SoftBank and Sharp have agreed to build an AI data center on Sharp's Sakai factory site, and it is scheduled to be fully operational by the middle of 2025.
- Sharp has decided to cease panel production at the Sakai factory due to its deteriorating financial situation. SoftBank plans to utilize this factory site to build an AI data center, establish an advanced computing system, and expand its AI-related businesses.
- Sharp has diversified its business portfolio and sought new revenue opportunities through the utilization of its factory site. It is also in discussions with KDDI and others regarding the construction of an AI data center.
SoftBank and Sharp have agreed to build a large-scale AI data center on the site of Sharp's liquid crystal panel factory in Sakai City, Japan. Sharp decided to stop panel production at the Sakai plant in the first half of 2024 due to financial difficulties.
SoftBank plans to build the data center early by using the land, building, power facilities, and cooling facilities of the Sharp Sakai plant. Through this agreement, the two companies plan to seek cooperation in AI-related businesses.
The newly built AI data center will be about 440,000 square meters, about 60% of the Sharp Sakai plant site, with a floor area of about 750,000 square meters.
SoftBank is expected to secure advanced semiconductor-based computing systems and data processing capabilities necessary for generative AI development and AI-related businesses by building an AI data center using the Sakai plant site. The data center will also be open to external organizations such as universities, research institutions, and businesses.
SoftBank is expected to strengthen its competitiveness in the data center market in Japan and accelerate AI technology development by building an AI data center at the Sakai plant.
Sharp has been able to diversify its business portfolio and seek new revenue-generating opportunities by using the plant site.
Meanwhile, Sharp has begun discussions with KDDI and others to build an AI data center on the Sakai plant site. The Sharp Sakai plant has ideal location conditions for building a large-scale data center in Japan, increasing the likelihood of cooperation with various companies in the future.
SoftBank plans to start construction in the fall of 2024 and begin full operation of the data center in mid-2025.
This cooperation between SoftBank and Sharp is expected to play an important role in the development of Japan's AI industry.